FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2010-07-27

SCC recognized by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR Laboratory Accreditation Program

Ottawa, Ontario (July 27, 2010) – The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is pleased to announce that it has been formally recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an accreditation body for laboratories that perform product testing in support of the ENERGY STAR program.

“This expansion of our laboratory accreditation services is an important complement to our existing offerings,” said SCC Executive Director John Walter. “Our involvement with the ENGERGY STAR program, which is used by so many consumers and is becoming globally recognized as a trusted symbol of environmental protection, not only supports Canada’s energy efficiency goals but adds tremendous value for our laboratory clients.”

A joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, ENERGY STAR was created in 1992. As a way to ensure the integrity and relevance to consumers of the ENERGY STAR symbol and brand, the EPA began making adjustments to its product testing requirements earlier this year and released final documentation on the conditions and criteria pertaining to the recognition of accreditation bodies on June 30, 2010.

Among the criteria to qualify as an EPA-recognized accreditation body, the SCC was required to demonstrate that it is a signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) mutual recognition agreement (MRA), that it complies with requirements of the ISO/IEC 17011 standard, and that it undergoes rigorous periodic peer evaluations by other signatories to the ILAC MRA.

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is a Crown Corporation and a portfolio of Industry Canada. With the goal of enhancing Canada's economic competitiveness and social well-being, the SCC offers accreditation services to both standards development bodies, and conformity assessment organizations. In the area of conformity assessment, it provides services to over 400 clients, including numerous testing and calibration laboratories. Its accreditation programs are based on internationally recognized standards and guides. For additional information on the work of the SCC visit www.scc.ca or email [email protected].

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